Edith’s POV
I walked out of the office and left the pack house with Harvey following closely behind.
He was silent and kept a little distance between us.
“Tomorrow, will you let Talic take over?” I asked in a low tone.
When I heard his footsteps stop, I too halted and turned to face him.
“What’s wrong this time? Did I do something to offend you, or are you just tired of my presence?” He asked seriously.
“No, that’s not it. I was wondering because I have never seen you both in a war mood, and it would be good to witness that,” I answered as his expression softened.
“If that Alpha dares to start a fight, you will get to witness both me and Ridge in action,” he said as I smiled.
As he moved his hand to my cheek, my smile faded.
“I am sorry,” he whispered softly as I swallowed hard.
Why was he apologizing? Did he by chance realize how lonely I was all this time?
“Why are you sorry?” I asked huskily.
“I was very busy and I neglected you for quite some time. I really wanted to see you, but things became even more complicated when Snow turned his back against the pack. I felt very horrible, and I let my anger get the best of me. That’s why I hit him badly. I didn’t want to show you such a horrible side, that’s why I lied to you about being very busy when in truth I wasn’t,” he answered as I felt sadness wash over me.
So he hated the thought of me knowing his bad side? Why was that making me feel angry?
“Is that all?” I asked seriously.
“No, I also felt like, despite you accepting me, you would still want to spend more time with Talic than with me,” he answered as I chuckled softly.
“Listen to yourself. Are you getting jealous of your other half?” I asked.
He smiled and then nodded.
“I can’t help it, okay,” he answered simply and then dropped his hand.
“So…,” I trailed off, hesitating to ask what I wanted to confirm.
“Is that the reason we haven’t done it yet?” I asked as I shifted my gaze to the rock on my side to avoid his eyes.
“What?” He asked seriously.
“I’m asking if that was the reason we haven’t done anything yet,” I answered.
“What do you mean by anything?” He asked as I nervously tugged my hair behind my ear.
“You know… what mates do,” I answered.
“Oh, I’m sorry, it was all my fault,” he apologized as I smiled in relief.
“I forgot that you are my human mate. Obviously, you want us to go out on a date and enjoy movies and other things,” he said as I looked at him coldly.
Why was he saying ‘human mate’! And where was he getting such ideas from?
“What? Am I wrong?” He asked as I glared at him.
“I’m sorry if I misunderstood you, but there’s nothing to be angry or shy about. Werewolf mates also go out and spend a lot of time together. The only difference between them and us would be that the very first thing they would try and do is mark each other. It’s like this desire and longing to be one, mostly if they know and have feelings for each other,” he said and then frowned deeply.
When he slightly tilted his head as if remembering something, he gasped loudly.
“No, no way. Are you asking me to mark and mate with you?” He asked as I felt embarrassed.
“No, that’s not what I meant,” I answered and then turned and began to walk away.
“Wait up,” he called, then rushed to my side.
“Did you truly want to be with us?” He asked, annoying me.
“What kind of question is that when I am happily staying in this pack and not going back to my own home for your sake?” I asked.
Couldn’t he tell all along that I was staying back because I didn’t want to part from him?
“Hey!” I exclaimed when he grabbed my shoulder, making me stop again.
“Please tell me clearly. I know what you mean, but I just can’t believe it until I hear it from your own lips,” he said as I closed my eyes for a second and then opened them and looked him in his eyes.
“When we were apart, I truly missed you. I didn’t care if it was you or Talic in control; all I wanted was to see you, my mate. No, not just my mate, I wanted to be with you, my man. I started asking myself if it was really time that you needed to get over what Snow had done, or if it was because work was more important than me. I already stayed longer in this pack than I wanted to; didn’t that mean something? Why, then, weren’t we going past the kiss and holding hands phase? Did you not want to mark me? I know how hard it is to hold back from marking your mate when they are in your arms, yet you held off so well and did nothing,” I said sadly, pouring my heart into my words.
“Do you perhaps think I hold no special feelings towards you when I do? Why hide your angry, sad self from me and only show me your kind, happy self? Don’t you know that I want to adore the whole of you?” I asked.
When he couldn’t respond, I continued to speak.
“If I am to go back home, then I will only go back with you. If you choose to stay here and refuse to go back with me, then I will stay here with you because I don’t think I could be happy living a life apart from you. Don’t ask me if I know what I’m talking about, because I do. I did a lot of thinking when I was alone, and I came to terms with things I can’t change and how I feel. Your Alpha has my respect because he is your Alpha, and your pack members will be protected by me in my own way because they are now my own. So yes, after staying here with you, I have come to love you,” I said seriously and then waited for him to respond.
When a few minutes went by in silence, I frowned deeply.
“Um… did I come off as weird, or did I shock you with my words?” I asked.
When he didn’t respond, I rubbed my hand against my arm.
“Harvey, say something,” I said softly and then flinched when he grabbed the back of my neck and leaned in, crushing his lips against my own.
It wasn’t the response that I wanted or was expecting from him, but I still felt very happy and excited having him kiss me as if I meant the whole world to him.